Ornamental device



Dec, 3, 1957 A. s. PLUBELL 9 ORNAMENTAL DEVICE Fiied Aug. 24, 1955 United States 2,815,439 Patented Dec. 3, 1957 ice ORNAMENTAL DEVICE Arthur S. Plubell, Indiana, Pa. Application August 24, 1955, Serial No. 530,390 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-) This invention relates to an ornamental device, and it particularly relates to a device for simulating a basket, or the like, filled with illuminated simulated objects such as eggs.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a device which may not only be highly decorative but which may serve as a childs toy or as a symbol of a festive occasion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which will simulate a real object such as a hasket of Easter eggs, brightly illuminated.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved ornamental device, of the character described, that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly effective in use.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially exploded, view of a device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional tion of the device of Fig. 1.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a basket 10 having a generally circular side wall 12, a bottom wall, not shown, a bead 14 at the bottom edge of the side wall, a top wall 16, and a head 18 at the top edge of the side wall in surrounding relationship to the top wall. The entire basket is, preferably, constructed of one of the various synthetic resins; however, it may also be constructed of wicker, paper, or any other desired material.

The side wall and the beads 14 and 18 are of integral construction, there being an internal shoulder provided at the juncture of each of the beads and the side wall. Such a peripherally extending shoulder is indicated at 20 in Fig. 3. Press-fitted into this shoulder 20 is the peripheral rim of the disc-like top wall 16, as best shown in Fig. 3.

The bottom wall, not shown, may also be press-fitted in place similarly to the top wall. On the other hand, no bottom wall may be provided at all, the bottom being left open.

The top wall 16, which is here illustrated as being generally flat and round, is provided with a plurality of round openings 22 spaced around its periphery. Releasably positioned in each of these openings 22 is an electrical socket 24. Each socket extends below the wall 16 and is held in place by means of a flange 26, at the top thereof, which fits over the opening.

Electrical wires 28 extend from each socket 26 and are view of a poradapted to be connected, either in series or in parallel, to the wires of the other sockets. All the wires 28 are connected to an electrical outlet cord 30 extending through an opening 32 in the lower portion of the side wall 12.

A small light bulb 34 is provided in each socket 24, and over each bulb 34 is positioned a translucent globe 36. Each globe 36 is shown as having the shape of an egg. The globes are provided with an open bottom defined by a flange 37; the flange 37 being adapted to firmly seat on the top wall 16 around the bulb 34. Each globe is shown with a difierent picture painted on the external surface thereof. The internal light provided within each globe 36 by bulbs 34, gives the efiect of a basketful of illuminated, variously colored Easter eggs in a basket.

A handle 38, which may also be made of a synthetic resin, is formed from an elongated rod having a reinforcing spirally wound cord 40 thereon. The rod is bent into a general inverted U-shaped contour and its ends are locked to the bead 18 at opposite sides of the basket, as by pins 42; each pin having one end embedded Within the handle and its other end extending into an opening 44 in bead 18.

An eyelet 46 having a central opening 48 is provided at the top of the handle to permit hanging the basket on a hook, nail or the like.

The device embodying this invention has been illustrated as a generally round, plastic, Easter egg basket. However, not only may the basket be made of other materials but it may have a variety of other shapes. Furthermore, it may not resemble a basket at all, but may resemble any one of a variety of other types of containers. Similarly, the globes 36 may take any other shape desired. However, the particular Easter egg basket illustrated is the preferred embodiment of the invention since this particular construction has been found the most feasible and advantageous, both to serve as a toy and as an ornament.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. An ornamental Easter egg basket comprising a hollow base, a bead defining the upper peripheral edge of said base, a second bead defining the lower peripheral edge of said base and providing a plane support therefore, a removable top wall press-fitted into position within the top opening of said base immediately below said upper bead, a plurality of openings in said top wall, a removable electric socket in each of said openings, means connecting said sockets to a source of electrical energy, a light bulb connected to each socket, and an ornamentally decorated, translucent, egg-shaped globe supported on said top wall and overlying each bulb.

2. The ornamental Easter egg basket of claim 1, a basket handle removably attached to said upper bead, and eyelet means on said handle for hanging said basket on a holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 67,992 Beistle Aug. 18, 1925 1,349,374 Gruenfeld Aug. 10, 1920 1,440,589 Flender Jan. 2, 1923 2,277,611 Schaaf Mar. 24, 1942 2,760,052 Owen Aug. 21, 1956 

